Clark keynotes to crowd of 700 Texans for Noriega
"Rick Noriega is not able to buy a United States Senate seat"
Gen. Clark helps Noriega in Dallas fundraiserComparing his battle for the Senate to David's rumble against Goliath, Democrat Rick Noriega held a fundraiser in Dallas on Wednesday night that attracted nearly 700 people.
"We recognize that it's an uphill fight," Mr. Noriega said of his race against Sen. John Cornyn. As of June 30, Mr. Noriega had just $916,000 in cash, compared with the Republican's $9.4 million.
"If it has to be all about money, then we shouldn't have elections," he said.
The fundraiser featured retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former presidential candidate who was criticized this month for saying John McCain's service in Vietnam didn't qualify him to be president.
Before Wednesday's event, Gen. Clark explained that remark. He said military service is "a wonderful test of your character and what it means about your willingness to sacrifice for the country." But, he said, judgment is also important.
In his speech, Mr. Noriega took a shot at his rival, saying, "John Cornyn's record in the Senate has made it hard to be hopeful. This nation, this state, is on the wrong course."The Cornyn campaign was critical of Mr. Noriega's alliance with Gen. Clark, a supporter of Barack Obama's.
Mr. Noriega, a state representative who served in Afghanistan for the Army National Guard, has used his military service as a cornerstone of his campaign.
Gen. Clark said it would take a strong effort to beat Mr. Cornyn.
"Rick Noriega is not able to buy a United States Senate seat," Gen. Clark said. "He needs your help. Tell everyone there's a force moving here in Texas."
